CVE-2025-14115
📋 TL;DR
IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX contains hard-coded credentials that could allow attackers to authenticate to the system, communicate with external components, or decrypt internal data. This affects IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX Container versions 6.3.0.0 through 6.3.0.6 Interim Fix 016 and 6.4.0.0 through 6.4.0.3 Interim Fix 019.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX Container
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data, lateral movement within the network, and potential data exfiltration or system manipulation.
Likely Case
Unauthorized authentication to the Connect:Direct system, enabling access to file transfer operations and potentially sensitive data being transferred.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if system is isolated, network segmentation is in place, and access controls restrict who can interact with the vulnerable service.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires knowledge of the hard-coded credentials, which may be discovered through reverse engineering or other means. No authentication needed once credentials are known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply IBM Sterling Connect:Direct for UNIX Container 6.3.0.6 Interim Fix 017 or 6.4.0.3 Interim Fix 020
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7257143
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the appropriate interim fix from IBM Fix Central. 2. Stop the Connect:Direct service. 3. Apply the interim fix according to IBM documentation. 4. Restart the Connect:Direct service. 5. Verify the fix by checking version information.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Isolation
linuxRestrict network access to Connect:Direct services to only trusted hosts and networks
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [cd_port] -s [trusted_ip] -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [cd_port] -j DROP
Credential Rotation
allManually change any hard-coded credentials if possible, though this may break functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate Connect:Direct systems from untrusted networks
- Monitor for unusual authentication attempts and file transfer activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the Connect:Direct version using the cdver command or examine the container image versionCheck Version:
cdverVerify Fix Applied:
Verify the version shows 6.3.0.6 Interim Fix 017 or higher, or 6.4.0.3 Interim Fix 020 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Failed authentication attempts followed by successful authentication using known patterns
- Unusual file transfer activities from unexpected sources
Network Indicators:
- Authentication attempts to Connect:Direct services from unauthorized IP addresses
- Unexpected outbound connections from Connect:Direct systems
SIEM Query:
source="connect_direct.log" AND (event_type="authentication" AND result="success") AND src_ip NOT IN [allowed_ips]